I tried a cellulite-busting aqua bike and I've never felt so toned

You’ve probably seen adverts for aqua bike classes and had a good laugh, wondering whether there are any benefits to going for a cycle in your own mini-pool. Hint: there are loads. As someone who shies away from any kind of bike at all times, I was the perfect exercise-shy candidate to try out hydrocryotherapy.

Much to my own detriment, I boycott most exercise (except yoga) and have relatively low fitness levels. So, when I found myself with an opportunity to take part in the Sculpt and Shape programme at the beautiful spa retreat Masseria San Domenico, Puglia, I threw myself into all treatments on offer – no joke, hilarious boomerang evidence below.

This one takes top spot for my favourite new workout.

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What is an aqua bike / hydrocryotherapy?

An aqua bike is an exercise bike in your own jacuzzi or personal swimming pool.

The hydrocryotherapy offered at Masseria San Domenico is an individual swimming pool situated in a calming dark, blue-lit room. The bike is suspended in very cold thalasso sea water – none of that chlorinated stuff that strips off your fake tan – which is packed full of minerals and rich in oligoelements, helping with purification.

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Hydrocryotherapy review

I’d just finished 1 hour of intense aqua gym aerobics in the heated indoor pool of the Masseria San Domenico spa, helping to build my muscle strength and endurance. Having sweated excessively in the midday heat, the thought of getting waist-deep in a cold pool was more appealing than usual, I guess.

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I donned my white plastic shoes and stepped into the pool. The cold water was right up to my waist – note: wear a swimsuit, not a bikini, if you want to be less freezing.

Was it bloody cold? Yes. But not drastically colder than an unheated pool. Within about 5 seconds, I realised I needed to get moving quickly.

After 10 seconds of pedalling, I felt my legs begin to warm up and picked up the pace. As the hydrocryotherapy room is next door to other treatment rooms in the spa, there are sadly no energetic spin class anthems to keep you motivated. I quickly resorted to humming along to up-tempo Beyoncé in my head, creating my own pace.

This is the ultimate workout playlist to motivate you

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Weights and floats are provided, to keep your workout varied and also help keep the blood coursing through your arms over the course of 20 minutes.

The time went surprisingly quickly, and I wasn’t feeling particularly frozen when I was helped out of the pool. But the biggest surprise came when I stood on normal ground once more.

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My legs felt tight and toned up-top, but somehow light and aerated. For the next hour, I felt ridiculously graceful every time I moved.

Final thoughtsI enjoyed it far more than your bog-standard exercise bike, and could really feel the benefit of the workout. I’ll definitely be searching out local aqua bikes in London so I can get my hydro fix more regularly.